'Trying' in the Bible

Am I now trying to gain the approval of people, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ!

For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I was savagely persecuting the church of God and trying to destroy it.

Are you so foolish? Although you began with the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by human effort?

You who are trying to be declared righteous by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace!

Those who want to make a good showing in external matters are trying to force you to be circumcised. They do so only to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.